Internships Details

About the Organization

The Scottish Seabird Centre was opened in 2000 and has grown rapidly into an award winning environmental initiative, which brings people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds closer to wildlife. From its stunning location at North Berwick on the Eastern seacoast of Scotland, overlooking the wildlife rich waters of the Firth of Forth, the Centre inspires people to appreciate, learn about and care for Scotland’s natural environment. It is now recognized as a world leader in sustainable wildlife tourism and environmental education.

The Centre is a small, independent and community -based charity and that depends on public support to deliver its conservation, education and community work.

In addition to its important work, through the attraction of over 200,000 visitors annually, the Centre helps to fuel the local economy and regenerate the historic harbour side and town of North Berwick. Open 364 days a year, the Centre is an outstanding year-round facility for tourists, students and the wider local community.

With high definition camera links to some of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Europe (the islands of Bass Rock, Craigleith and May) operated remotely in the Centre, it provides unmatched opportunities for wildlife observation and education, for schools, wildlife students and the general public.

Job Description

Interns, depending on their major, skills and interests, can work with SSC staff in a number of different areas in Education, Events and Exhibitions, Discovery Centre, and others.

Students can assist in planning, preparation and delivery of environmental teaching. The Centre has a formal teaching program for schools, as well as a more informal "Puffin Club" aimed at younger children which involves them in practical, fun, hands on environmental and conservation instruction.

Opportunities are also available in website development and web technology, currently including:

• a project with local schools to produce and maintain a website with downloadable podcasts to allow students and tourists alike to participate in a virtual conservation/environmental tour of the area’s coastline and marine habitats (Wildlife Websites and Podcasts).
• an ‘Environmental Portal’ website, which acts as a one stop shop for ALL environmental matters from endangered species to recyclable packaging and environmentally friendly cleaning products. This is to be a sub-site to our own www.seabird.org site.

  For students interested in business, marketing and eco-tourism, there is an opportunity to work with Discovery Centre staff to enhance the visitor experience, develop a study to identify strengths and weaknesses of the overall program, and help identify and design resources for the staff/visitor interaction. Interns might also be involved in developing a staff training program, and produce a monitoring system to evaluate the training/resources.

  Other possible projects

  • Conduct literature reviews of current topics and help keep information in education materials up-to-date.
  • Draw real life parallels to scientific information from exhibits.
  • Create connections between science, scientists, and real people.
  • Assess and evaluate how well the Scottish Seabird Centre products serve the needs of their clientele.
  • Assist with and give input on planning of new exhibitions.
  • Assist with the preparation of materials for formal education sessions, with the EO.
  • Conduct research on interpretation techniques for exhibits, e.g. focus on the psychological side of presenting information.
  • Work with families and niche groups – e.g. special needs children.
  • Work with EEO in the Puffin Club and think up new activities.
  • Bring fresh perspective and ideas to the Discovery Centre including innovative delivery of interpretation.
  • Help EO with the Wildlife Websites and Podcasts project.
  • Get involved with the preparation of the Environmental Portal project.

  # of Positions per term

  1

  Start Dates

  Spring, Summer

  Duration of Internship

  3-6 Months

Qualifications

Academic Background

Any

Skills/Experience

Required Skills: Computer literacy; good social skills.

Preferred Skills/Experience: Project management; customer service experience, especially in working within a tourist attraction; Environmental and Conservation awareness; Drama and/or Teaching Experience;web design skills.

Language Ability

Proficient written and spoken English. Familiarity with other European languages is not required, but is a plus, as many visitors are from other European countries.

Other Requirements

Good communication and interpersonal skills, confident in dealing with all types of people, in particular members of the public and children; able to work independently as well as part of a team; organized and self-motivated.

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$800-$1100
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$400-800
Food	$400
Local Transportation	$100-$200
Recreation	$50-$100
Personal Expenses	$100-$150

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

Student will find a shared flat either in North Berwick, or if preferred, Edinburgh. If student lives in Edinburgh, a monthly rail pass costs about $50. Some assistance may be provided with the cost of local travel.

International Travel: Travel by air to Edinburgh or Glasgow Housing costs vary widely depending on whether you choose to live in Edinburgh or North Berwick, and whether you live alone or share a flat.

Additional Information

Visit the Scottish Seabird Centre website at www.seabird.org. Be sure to visit the web cam section and the videos and podcasts - especially the seal diaries. See if you can find the seal birth!

You can watch an advertisement for the SSC here on YouTube. It gives a nice feeling for the facility and the visitor experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrM0BGN88UE&feature=related

Watch a BBC segment on Puffins and the SSC.

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